§ 34-68. Disease investigation.

(a)

The director shall investigate, to the extent necessary and practical, each reported communicable disease or disease condition, or other unusual or epidemic illness as deemed necessary for the public health, to verify diagnosis, identify additional cases and persons at risk, and to determine the probable source of infection or intoxication, and when appropriate, to institute appropriate control, containment, eradication, or remediation measures. In such investigations, the director is hereby vested with full powers of inspection, examination, isolation, quarantine, and disinfection of all persons, animals, places and things.

(b)

Every physician, physician's assistant, advanced practice nurse, coroner or medical examiner who practices within the city or the administrator of any institution within the city, shall cooperate fully with the director in the discharge of any investigation. It shall be unlawful for any such person to fall to or refuse to so cooperate with the director.

(c)

Pertinent information from the medical record of each person under investigation for a reportable disease or condition shall be furnished to the director upon demand. Consent of the person afflicted with a reportable disease or condition shall not be required unless information other than that pertaining to the disease or condition being investigated is requested. Information obtained from the medical records shall remain confidential.

(d)

It shall be unlawful for any physician, administrator, or other person to secrete any patient or client with a reportable disease or condition, or mislead the director so as to prevent the control of the disease.

(Ord. No. 170708 , § 1, 9-28-17)